Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-11
DEATH OF JOHN KELLY.
A Famous vIOlinist Well Known in Cali
fornia Dies In Texas.

fornia Dies In Texas.
Many of the early residents OF this city
remember John Kelly, who in the early
fifties was located here and had regular
engagement for long time to play the
violin, of which he was master, In the
Humboldt on ] street, between Front and
Second, for which service he received 500
per night The following from tie Victoria
| (Texas) AdUocdte of December 4th, will no
| doubt call to the mind of many pioneer
"reminiscences of this musical minstrel OF
| those historic days. 1t says:
1.-TWO weeks ago the Adaocate announced
| the arrival in this city of John Kelly, the
famous violinist, accompanied by his wife.
They visited Victoria for the purpose OF
giving concert, but owing to Mr.. kellys
illness, dating back some months, he was
unable to appear. Since then his condi-
ton steadily grew more serious, until on
Thursday evening last it became apparent
that his death was near at hand. Gradu-
ally the silver cord was loosened, and about
5 A. NJ. yesterday he passed quietly away.
The career of the dead musician has been
long and varied one. A native OF Ire
land, he came to America over fifty years
ago, and at once became prominent as
violinist. In 1874 he accompanied the
celebrated Ole Bull on his first American
tour, and appeared with that distinguished
artist in all the principal cities OF the
United States. He was among the early
emigrants to California, and for many years
spent the greater part of his time IN
that State. His mastery skill on the
violin, together with his genial disposition,
soon won for him host of friends among
the people of the Pacific coast, and there
are many aged California pioneers still Nv
ing who, during the early settlement OF
that now giant commonwealth, founu III
the magic of his wizard bow solace for
the longing for distant homes and absent
loved ones. With the enthusiasm and
generosity of his Celtic origin, no man was
SO humble as to fail to enlist his sympathy.
and the gains of his professional career
were scattered with lavish hand in aid of
the poor and unfortunate. But death
comes to all sooner or later, and the gener-
ous-hearted Kelly, after long life, passes
to the great beyond, mourned by legion
of friends. The sad announcement will
cause pangs of sincere regret wherever he
was known, and in distant climes the
memory of his wondrous genius will long
remain as a monument more enduring
than marble. Green be the sward above
him and soft the winds that murmur
around his last resting place.
Besides his Borrowing wife, Mr.. Kelly
leaves three children by former mar
riage, two of when are residents of Califor-
MIA The third, the eldest boy, has long
been wanderer, his present whereabouts
not being known. The funeral took place
this morning from st. Mary's Catholic
Church, the body being followed TO the
grave by number of sympathizing friends.
Born July 3. 1872.
Died December 3, 1886"
The widow of the deceased is very de-
sirous of erecting monument over the
remains. and for that purpose has asked
her California friends TO contribute. A
gentlemen well acquainted with the de-
ceased in speaking of the matter, yester-
day, said: How freely and promptly
would John Kelly have acted for another.
No one ever lived more deserving than he."
A subscription for this purpose has been
started in Los Angeles; anyone who de-
sires to contribute thereto can do so
through Colonel J. ], Ayers.